Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Yom Kippur, the
Jewish Day of AtonementSept 16 : observed in 1 day

Did you know that Yom Kippur is a day of “NOT” doing?

There is no blowing of the Shofar and Jews may not eat or drink, as fasting is the rule. It is believed that to fast on Yom Kippur is to emulate the angels in heaven, who do not eat, drink, or wash.

Did you know that while Yom Kippur is devoted to fasting, the day before is devoted to eating?

According to the The Talmud the person “who eats on the ninth of Tishri (and fasts on the tenth) , it is as if he had fasted both the ninth and tenth.” Prayer is also down played so that Jews can concentrate on eating and preparing for the fast.

Known in English as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur falls on the tenth day of the Jewish month of Tishrei — just a week and a half after the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. The ten-day period between the High Holy Days is known as the Ten Days of Tshuva (Repentance), a time during which deep introspection and personal atonement is to take place.